The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony took place on October 27, 2026, in London, and it was a night to remember for English football. Harry Kane, the captain of the English national team and a star player for Bayern Munich, won the prestigious award for the first time in his career. He beat out other top contenders, including Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, who finished second and third, respectively. Kane's win marked a significant moment for English football, as he became the second English player to receive the award, following in the footsteps of Stanley Matthews, who won it 70 years ago.
Alexia Putellas, a Spanish midfielder, also made history by winning her third Ballon d'Or award. She previously won the award in 2021 and 2022 and has now added a third to her collection. Putellas, who plays for London City Lionesses, had a remarkable season, winning her fourth Champions League title before joining her new club. Her win was a testament to her resilience and determination, as she recovered from a serious knee injury that kept her out of the 2022 European Championship.
The ceremony also recognized young talents in the football world. Lamine Yamal, a 19-year-old player from FC Barcelona, won the Kopa Trophy for the third consecutive year, beating out other top contenders, including Pau Cubarsi and Yan Diomandé. Vicky Lopez, a 20-year-old Spanish forward, also won the award for Young Female Player of the Year, after scoring 17 goals and providing 15 assists in an impressive season with FC Barcelona.
FC Barcelona dominated the awards, with several players and coaches receiving recognition. Pere Romeu, the 32-year-old coach of the women's team, won the award for Best Female Team Coach, after leading his team to a quadruple. Cata Coll, the team's goalkeeper, also won the award for Best Female Goalkeeper, after conceding just 18 goals in 39 matches. The club also won the award for Best Female Team of the Year, after winning four titles, including the Champions League, Liga, Copa de la Reina, and Supercopa de España.
The awards also recognized coaches and teams from other countries. Luis de la Fuente, the coach of the Spanish national team, won the award for Best Male Team Coach, after leading his team to World Cup victory. Unai Simon, the goalkeeper for Athletic Bilbao, won the award for Best Male Goalkeeper, after a remarkable season with his club and country. The PSG, a French club, won the award for Best Male Team of the Year, after winning their second consecutive Champions League title.
Other notable winners included Bukayo Saka, who won the Socrates Prize for his philanthropic work, and Charlyn Corral, who won the award for top scorer in the Mexican women's league. Harry Kane also won the award for top scorer in the European leagues, after scoring 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony was a celebration of excellence in football, and it marked a significant moment for women's football, with several female players and coaches receiving recognition. The awards highlighted the achievements of top players, coaches, and teams from around the world, and it provided a platform for them to be recognized for their hard work and dedication.
Key points
- Harry Kane won his first Ballon d'Or award, beating out Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.
- Alexia Putellas won her third Ballon d'Or award, after previously winning in 2021 and 2022.
- FC Barcelona dominated the awards, with several players and coaches receiving recognition.
